Dragon's Lair

Dragon's Lair

Released1990
Dragon's Lair is a side-scrolling platform game based on the laserdisc game of the same name released for the Nintendo Entertainment System and developed by the MotiveTime group. Plotwise, the game is identical to the original. The game is a side-scroller with the character walking slowly. Dirk can walk, crawl, or jump forward, and he has an array of weapons that he can discover and use to dispose of enemies. The controller layout is reversed from other mainstream NES titles, with Select functioning as the Pause-button while Start is used for the Candle object (which helps reveal hidden weapons). Also, B is used for jumping, and A for attacking (the input of the A & B buttons is almost always the opposite in similar NES games). Two different versions were released later, first for the Famicom, with major improvements on playability and speed, and a second one for PAL regions, expanding upon the Famicom version with new enemies and cutscenes.
49Wit Score

Details

DeveloperMotiveTime Ltd
PublisherMattel, CSG Imagesoft
ReleasedDecember 29, 1990
StatusReleased
GenresPlatformAdventure
ThemesActionFantasy
PlatformsNIN Nintendo Entertainment System
ModesSingle player
SeriesDragon's Lair

Wit-Index Intelligence

Community Score
Mixed Reception49/100

About This Game

Dirk the Daring embarks on a perilous journey through a treacherous castle to save the captive Princess Daphne, relying on his wits and combat prowess to overcome the dangers that stand in his way. Rather than relying on predetermined sequences, players take full command of Dirk's movements as he battles hostile forces and navigates through deadly traps and environmental hazards. Armed with throwing knives as his primary weapon, Dirk must use ranged combat and tactical awareness to defeat his foes while pursuing his rescue mission. Along the way, he can collect valuable treasures scattered throughout the castle, rewarding exploration and persistence.